"Are we prepared to promote conditions in which the living contact with God can be reestablished? For our lives today have become godless to the point of complete vacuity. God is no longer with us in the conscious sense of the word. He is denied, ignored, excluded from every claim to have a part in our daily life." - Alfred Delp, S.J.

FrancisAmbiguity: Cleverly disguising your true intentions through deceptive means isn't just what politicians do, it is what liars do, what thieves do, what con-men do. It is, in fact, what the Devil himself does.

A practice is introduced, that in the long run, determines, not only in Christian people, this idea: there is no marriage that is absolutely indissoluble. And this without question is against the will of the Lord.

20 comments:

am going to take a seat next to the average Catholic in the pews and not care. I have enough to try and take care of on a daily basis ... committing more time to prayer, being patient with those I find disagreeable, online or in real life, work, sleep, paying bills, making time for silence and more prayer.

Me too. All of this intemperate speech and outcry only drags the spirit down. The Risen Christ always greets us, "Peace be with you" and "Be not afraid, it is I." Yesterday's Gospel was so consoling ...

"Peter, do you love me?"

"Feed my sheep, tend my sheep, feed my sheep."

That is what Peter is doing - since at another time, Christ told him, "I have other sheep that are not of this fold".

In times like this we must have trust, confidence and love, and keep ourselves in peace. The little way for little souls.

Thank you Terry for your love of God and neighbor. What you have said is very true and very consoling. I care what happens to our beloved Church, I care that Papa Francis is bashed from both aisles as is happening again, it is sad to me that such disrespect is on full display in certain corners of the Catholic world.

After reflection on all of what is said, not said, seeking Jesus and a desire to love and follow him closer, there seems that I am to make no room in my life for more clamor, more hand wringing, more upset over critics of our Holy Father. The Holy Spirit allows me to look and see and pray and hope. All is his ... all of it. I want to pray and sit at his feet and never lose hope for Christ's holy and treasured bride, the Church.

One more thing, Cardinal Burke had reassuring words to say today amid all the clamor. God bless him.

May the grace of living as best we can in the Risen Lord be our joy now and forevermore!

I'm not really concerned about the exhortation at all - at least not in the sense Pewsitter writers are. Not sure what has happened to me ... I keep thinking, 'let nothing disturb your peace' ... therefore it doesn't concern me.

I was very happy when a friend contacted me this weekend. She's lived with a divorced man for 40 years, and of course now they live as brother and sister, her partner is in his 70's and quite ill. I recommended a priest I know who has always ministered to people in irregular circumstances - some would condemn him, but he is faithful - he simply finds a way to untie the constraints that kept people away from the church. This couple went to Mass and my friend is a saint insofar as she devotes her life to taking care of elderly friends and relatives. In the past they always went to communal penance services. Now the trads would have a fit over that - but I see in them the very real people Pope Francis is concerned about. And now, when age and infirmity is upon them, they can be fully integrated into the Church.

I have great hope this exhortation will reconcile many. It is out of my control if abuses result - besides, that has been the history of the Church. Was there ever a time the Catholic Church was not beset by troubles and dissent and sin?

Anyway - that's my take away. I've been guided by my conscience all of my life - which is why I frequent the sacrament of penance, why I'm not married, why I live a chaste, celibate life, and so on.

That said - you are absolutely right - there is nothing we can do about these documents and commentaries - except live a faithful life ourselves and pray for the conversion of sinners.

Catholic in Brooklyn - Why, no - I haven't read it and I have no intention of reading it. I simply don't care about what's in it. If you're asking that question in order to impugn my opinion or start some sort of combox war, don't bother. I don't care what you think of my opinion and don't engage in combox wars. It's pointless.

Now, if you're asking out of genuine interest, I apologize for sounding harsh, but the answer remains the same. No I haven't read it, and have read almost no critiques either.

I affirm the right of people to think what they want about the exhortation - either good or bad. I just don't plan on participating.

In most parishes there are 3 groups. There are the peace, love and felt banner types, the ultra trad lunatics, and the other 80%. My former priest was most concerned about the 80% because he felt they posed the highest flight risk. I think Francis is the same - he knows the other 20% is going to hang on by the skin of teeth come what may (because both groups are convinced they are 150% right and are sure eventually the others will come around). Anyway, that's my 2 cents.

.....oops: sorry: I was simply too beat to make any sense and recognized it. thought about you at work today, when I was corrected a few times for mistakes I have made: I can now accept with more grace these times, and welcome it - as something you have said, about ... something about not being surprised about our failings and welcoming being wrong and, and: nope, I am just too exhausted from work to recall: want to remind me ? sorry: time for a nap. although it is not the little children who are draining, but rather the pots/pans/floor mopping/vegetable chopping: I feel so comforted that so many holy people worked in kitchens ! It is like having company who Understand and stand with me...St Faustina was so blessed to have Jesus lighten that big pot full of potatoes !

I agree. He was one I first looked to to get his thoughts on AL. Father Matthew L.C. helps out too.http://22catholic.com/2016/04/key-quotes-from-amoris-laetitia-about-every-family-not-just-divorced-and-civilly-remarried/

Veritatis Splendor

About Me

... My idea of what I am is falsified by my preoccupation about what I do. And my illusions about myself are bred by contagion from the illusions of other men. We all seek to emulate one anothers imagined greatness....If I do not know who I am, it is because I think I am the sort of person everyone around me wants me to be. I have asked myself whether I wanted to become what everybody else seems to want to become... only to realize that I do not admire what everyone else seems to admire. I have only thus begun to live after all... But it is very late. - Adapted from a quote by Thomas Merton

Holy Face of Jesus

Show us your face and we shall be saved. "Each soul is the object of My special love. That is why I am so grateful to those who are resourceful and bringing back sinners to Me. Keep this in mind then. I gave My life for them in the most atrocious torture, for these poor beloved ones. A humble repentance, and they are already on My heart. So speak gently to them. Speak with tenderness. A brusque remark could drive them farther away." - He and I

Prayer to St. Michael

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

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